CFCC students march in protest of proposed DEI dismantle

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY)– Dozens of people participated in a student-led “peace walk” near Cape Fear Community College’s campus in Downtown Wilmington Tuesday afternoon. 

The students are upset over a proposed UNC system policy change that would cut diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI programs at state-funded universities.  

Students gathered at the Schwartz Center before walking down Front, Market and Third Streets, while chanting “We Need DEI”.   

Dre Gibson is a CFCC student, and a member of the Nixon Leaders Center, which recognizes underrepresented populations of students at the college.   

He says the purpose for their march was to bring awareness to the possible termination of DEI programs across the UNC system.   

“It’s very vital for us to obviously bring awareness and for people to understand that we can have DEI,” said Gibson. “There’s no need to get rid of it. There’s no need to let go of people’s comfort spaces just because other people feel against it.” 

The University Governance Committee voted to reverse and replace a policy related to DEI on April 17th.   

If the Board of Governors upholds the decision at their next meeting on May 15th, it would effectively dismantle current DEI programs on state university campuses.